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1999 Volkswagen NEW BeetleProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 34 owner complaints about the 1999 Volkswagen NEW Beetle, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

53
CarFlaw IndexSolid year12% below the NEW Beetle median · #3 of 7 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints344 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage55kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 28, 2004. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1999 Volkswagen NEW Beetle has problems

34 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling71
Electrical system70
Fuel system, gasoline50
Seats30
Visibility30
Power train20
Equipment20
Latches/locks/linkages20
Air bags21
5 other systems70

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1999 Volkswagen NEW Beetle recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Brake lights: switch

Recall 03V-265 · Jul 25, 2003 · 295,136 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LAMPS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE; OR THE LAMPS COULD COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volkswagen.

Best & worst years

1999 vs. every other NEW Beetle year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the NEW Beetle median. How we score

'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'06
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1999 Volkswagen NEW Beetle safety ratings

1999 Volkswagen Beetle 2-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

1999 Volkswagen NEW Beetle frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What NEW Beetle owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY AT ABOUT 55 MPH, WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, AND MY CAR WENT UP ON THE CENTER DIVIDER. I COULD NOT STEER MY CAR OFF THE DIVIDER, AND THE BRAKES WEREN'T WORKING AS WELL EITHER. I IMAGINE WHAT HAPPENED WAS THAT THE ENGINE STOPPED AND MY CAR POWERED OFF WITHOUT…
Complaint 10021316 · Jun 9, 2003 · 55,000 miles
NAR 02/28/2003 MR THE CONSUMER HAS HAD ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND THE EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM. *CB
Complaint 10014749 · Feb 28, 2003 · 55,287 miles
AT VARIOUS SPEEDS VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AND DIE WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS REPAIRED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND FUEL TANK. BUT, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS VEHICLE EXPERIENCES OIL LEAKS. AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON, DEALER SECURED LOOSE CONNECTOR CLEAR CODES. PASSENGER SEAT WOULD NOT MOVE UP OR DOWN. TRUNK VERY HARD…
Complaint 875140 · Nov 17, 2000

Own a 1999 NEW Beetle?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.